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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Zoo Assistant

💰 $28,000 - $45,000

Animal CareZoologyEducationConservationOperations

🎯 Role Definition

The Zoo Assistant supports daily animal care and public-facing education while ensuring animal welfare, safety, and exhibit standards. This role performs hands-on husbandry, prepares diets, conducts behavioral observations, assists veterinary staff, maintains enclosures, and leads interpretive programs. Ideal candidates combine practical animal-handling skills with strong communication, teamwork, and a commitment to conservation and visitor engagement.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Volunteer animal care assistant or zoo volunteer program
  • Wildlife rehabilitation technician or animal shelter attendant
  • Aquarist helper or research field technician

Advancement To:

  • Senior Zoo Keeper / Lead Keeper
  • Animal Care Supervisor / Exhibit Supervisor
  • Curator of Animals or Curatorial Assistant
  • Conservation Program Coordinator

Lateral Moves:

  • Education and Interpretation Officer
  • Guest Services or Volunteer Coordinator
  • Wildlife Field Technician or Rehabilitation Coordinator

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Provide daily husbandry for assigned species, including accurate preparation and delivery of diets, portioning according to nutritional plans, and documentation of feeding events to ensure consistent care and dietary compliance.
  • Clean and maintain animal habitats and public exhibit areas to high biosecurity and sanitation standards, including substrate replacement, waste removal, high-pressure washing, and disinfection following regulatory protocols.
  • Monitor and document animal behavior and health each shift; flag any abnormalities to senior keepers or veterinary staff and maintain detailed, time-stamped records in the facility’s animal management system (e.g., ZIMS, Artemis).
  • Execute and document species-specific enrichment programs designed to promote natural behaviors and psychological well-being; design, test, and evaluate enrichment devices and protocols in collaboration with enrichment teams.
  • Administer medications, supplements, and treatments under the direction of licensed veterinary staff; record dosages, routes, and responses in medical logs and support follow-up care.
  • Assist veterinarians and veterinary technicians during restraint, sedation, anesthesia, and medical procedures by preparing equipment, collecting samples (blood, fecal, swabs), and providing physical assistance during exams and treatments.
  • Facilitate safe and humane capture, restraint, and on-site transport of animals between enclosures, treatment areas, and off-site facilities; follow species-specific handling and safety procedures.
  • Support animal transfers, quarantine intake, and new animal introductions by implementing quarantine protocols, monitoring for disease, maintaining records, and coordinating with curatorial and quarantine teams.
  • Maintain accurate animal records including daily logs, breeding records, medical histories, behavioral notes, and enrichment inventories to support husbandry continuity and regulatory compliance.
  • Participate in breeding and propagation programs: monitor reproductive status, collect observational data, record lineage, and support neonate care and rearing protocols under supervision.
  • Conduct routine exhibit maintenance and minor carpentry, plumbing, and electrical tasks to keep enclosures secure and functional; coordinate with facilities for major repairs and safety upgrades.
  • Supervise, train, and mentor volunteers, interns, and seasonal staff in safe handling procedures, husbandry tasks, and public interactions; conduct orientation and on-the-job coaching.
  • Perform exhibit checks for fence integrity, barrier safety, visitor access control, and animal containment; immediately report and document any hazards, breaches, or maintenance needs.
  • Lead educational talks, keeper chats, demonstrations, and public animal encounters that communicate animal biology, conservation messages, and safety messages in an engaging, visitor-focused manner.
  • Enforce visitor policies and exhibit rules, responding calmly to non-compliance while maintaining animal welfare and guest safety; escalate incidents according to incident reporting procedures.
  • Participate in emergency response drills and real incidents (escape, injury, fire, severe weather) as a trained first responder; implement emergency containment, triage, and evacuation protocols as needed.
  • Manage inventory for diets, enrichment supplies, medical consumables, and equipment; submit supply requests, track consumption, and keep storerooms organized to ensure uninterrupted care.
  • Collect and process behavioral and ecological data for institutional research and conservation projects, support data entry, and collaborate with researchers to ensure data integrity and reproducibility.
  • Support off-site fieldwork and animal transport logistics for conservation initiatives, educational outreach, or loan programs; prepare manifests, permits, and transport crates per regulatory requirements.
  • Implement species-specific welfare assessments and participate in animal care plan reviews with curators and veterinary staff to continually improve husbandry outcomes.
  • Maintain and calibrate monitoring equipment (temperature, humidity, water quality for aquatic exhibits) and document results in facility logs; initiate corrective actions for deviations.
  • Participate in cross-departmental meetings to coordinate exhibit events, conservation messaging, and guest experiences; contribute front-line insights to exhibit design and programming.
  • Produce interpretive content and support social media or educational materials by providing accurate species information, photos, and short videos for outreach and fundraising efforts.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant laws, permits, and accreditation standards (e.g., AZA policies, USDA regulations, local wildlife permits) and assist with inspections and audit documentation.

Secondary Functions

  • Support special events, behind-the-scenes tours, school programs, and fundraising activities by providing animal-related content and live demonstrations when appropriate.
  • Assist with record digitization, data clean-up, and administrative support for animal programs, including maintaining spreadsheets and uploading records into centralized systems.
  • Aid in cross-training initiatives across departments (education, horticulture, maintenance) to promote operational flexibility and continuity of care.
  • Contribute to grant applications and conservation project proposals by providing husbandry details, logistical considerations, and operational budgets as needed.
  • Coordinate with external partners (universities, wildlife organizations, veterinary specialists) to support internships, research collaborations, and specimen loans.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Hands-on animal handling and restraint techniques for a variety of taxa (mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and/or aquatic species) with documented safety and low-stress methods.
  • Species-specific husbandry expertise: diet formulation, feeding schedules, neonatal and geriatric care protocols, and environmental enrichment design.
  • Basic veterinary nursing skills: medication administration, wound care, sample collection (blood, feces, swabs), and postoperative care under veterinary direction.
  • Experience with animal records management systems (e.g., ZIMS, AIMS, KeeperLog) and strong data entry accuracy.
  • Proficiency in operating small utility vehicles, forklifts, pressure washers, and basic power/hand tools for exhibit maintenance.
  • Knowledge of biosecurity, quarantine procedures, zoonotic disease prevention, and proper use of PPE.
  • Ability to conduct water quality testing and filter maintenance for aquatic exhibits; familiarity with testing equipment and record-keeping.
  • Capacity to follow and contribute to species survival plans, breeding programs, and conservation husbandry protocols.
  • Familiarity with OSHA safety standards and animal-related workplace safety procedures.
  • Basic carpentry, plumbing, and facility maintenance skills relevant to exhibit upkeep and animal containment.
  • Experience designing and implementing enrichment protocols and evaluating effectiveness through behavioral observation.

Soft Skills

  • Strong observational skills with attention to subtle changes in animal behavior and health.
  • Clear, confident public speaking and interpretive communication for delivering keeper talks and educational programs.
  • Team-oriented mindset with the ability to collaborate across departments and mentor volunteers and interns.
  • High emotional intelligence and patience for working with animals, visitors, and colleagues in stressful situations.
  • Excellent problem-solving, situational awareness, and the ability to prioritize tasks in a fast-paced environment.
  • Strong written communication for accurate record-keeping, incident reports, and cross-team updates.
  • Physical stamina and dexterity to perform manual tasks, lift heavy items, and work outdoors in varied weather conditions.
  • Adaptability and resilience when managing unexpected animal care challenges or schedule changes.
  • Ethical decision-making and commitment to animal welfare, conservation, and institutional policies.
  • Time management and organizational skills to balance daily husbandry, education duties, and administrative responsibilities.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • High school diploma or equivalent (required)

Preferred Education:

  • Associate's or Bachelor's degree in Zoology, Animal Science, Biology, Wildlife Management, Conservation Biology, or a related field (preferred)

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Zoology
  • Animal Science
  • Biology
  • Wildlife Management
  • Conservation Biology
  • Environmental Science
  • Aquaculture / Marine Biology (for aquatic-focused positions)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

  • Entry-level: 0–2 years of hands-on animal care experience (volunteer or internship experience accepted)
  • Mid-level: 2–5 years in a zoo, aquarium, wildlife rehabilitation, or similar captive care setting

Preferred:

  • 2+ years of paid experience in a zoological or wildlife care setting, demonstrated competency with the species in assigned care areas, prior experience with public interpretation or education programs, and certification or coursework in animal handling, first aid, or related technical skills.
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